The Shanghai tournament is underway,and it should be an excellent competition.

As far as I know, Andy Murray will be absent due to injury, but his name still appears on the player list. Del Potro is hot footing it from Tokyo having won the title there, and Djokovic will be savouring the successful defenceof his Beijing title. Nadal will be seeking to ad to his stash of titles this year,and Federer will no doubt be seeking the answer to his dismal results this year to date. Ferer seems to be less consistent at present,and Tsonga is only just back from time off for injury. Raonic is gaining confidence & momentum, having won in the Thailand Open before playing in Tokyo, and getting to the final in Tokyo.

I notice that this thread hasn't been moved up as yet.Perhaps Dallas is on holiday.

Anyway, in relation to yesterdays play, Iím pleased to see Haas through and Federer seems to be enjoying himself, playing doubles with Ze Zhang.

As for todayís results, Gasquet is out to Pospisil ( I like both menís game, but am always sorry to see RG go out! Especially this early, but I'm interested in how Popspisil will do ) Hewitt, who took a took a wildcard here, went out to Seppi.

Today, Iím looking forward to the Nishikori / Dimitrov match, and should be able to watch at least some of it. Real life permitting!

Federer lost to Monfils yesterday. I really got too much disappointed after watching the match. I am just a big fan of him so I am still hoping that he will get back his form soon.

Roger's form? What form is that? I'm sorry, I'm a huge fan, but even I realized this had to happen sooner or later! He's getting old and hasn't modified his game enough to compete! Hanging back on the baseline thinking he can blast winners isn't realistic! He has to chip and charge 'some' on crucial points and quit waiting for an error from an opponent; esp. since it's not happeneing for him! He will continue to drop in the rankings like Sampras at the end, but he can always catch lightning in a bottle and win a major! Week in, week out brilliance is a thing of the past and we need to start accepting that! Federer used up his deal with the Devil getting back to #1 last year, but you had to know it wouldn't last!

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Federer lost to Monfils yesterday. I really got too much disappointed after watching the match. I am just a big fan of him so I am still hoping that he will get back his form soon.

Roger's form? What form is that? I'm sorry, I'm a huge fan, but even I realized this had to happen sooner or later! He's getting old and hasn't modified his game enough to compete! Hanging back on the baseline thinking he can blast winners isn't realistic! He has to chip and charge 'some' on crucial points and quit waiting for an error from an opponent; esp. since it's not happeneing for him! He will continue to drop in the rankings like Sampras at the end, but he can always catch lightning in a bottle and win a major! Week in, week out brilliance is a thing of the past and we need to start accepting that! Federer used up his deal with the Devil getting back to #1 last year, but you had to know it wouldn't last!

Hi, Fiero425. Interesting comment re: Federer.

Gary will no doubt speak for himself if he wants to, but I understand him to mean, "better form" within his current capacity to play better, not that he will revert miraculously to his best form.

And if I'm correct in that reading of his comment, I agree that Federer should be able to find better form. By this I do not mean that he'll likely win many more titles, but that he'll play a better game again and with more consistency than at present. Even though he is at the winter end of the autumn of his career, I believe he can raise his game from its current level. Even a slight difference would be better!! As a fan of his, and having never been bothered about his amassing titles ( I just love his game ) I'd be delighted to see him play better again and enjoy himself out there. It can't be fun to play below par.

You say, very poetically , that he may catch some lightning in a bottle & win a major. Well, to so, he'll have to improve current form.

As for how things have panned out here, a word about some players. Monfils played well & took his chances against both Federer & Djokovic. Federer squandered too many of his own chances & gave many away. He seemed to have no game plan, looking confused at times. Monfils played well against Djokovic too, taking him to 3 sets. I'd ordinarily congratulate a player for his efforts, but have little time for Monfils and his antics. I just don't like the clowning around & gamesmanship.

Almagro did well to oust Berdych, and F. Mayer to beat Ferrer.

As for the semi's, I watched both today ( half an eye on the first one & riveted to the screen on the second one! ) Djokovic/Tsonga went more or less as anticipated. Tsonga played well at times, & was able to break Djokovic, but holding serve was a challenge. For Djokovic, some decent match practice. He is playing well & looks grounded. Well done to him for getting to the final to defend his title. He won Beijing / Shanghai back to back last year - let's see if he can do it again. s

In the Nadal / Del Potro match, from watching him take the break of Nadal's serve in the opening game to the final serve for the match, I couldn't take my eyes off Del Potro. To see him play his big game to its best was a privilege. I have long felt disappointed for him that he couldn't capitalise on the great year he had in 2009 and USO win due to injury, and it was rewarding to see him play so well again.

Noteworthy too, that he wasn't serving his best, yet could play his attacking game to full effect. Nadal was simply outplayed, and had no answer to his opponent's game. Even so he played some typically unbelievable shots in the match.

Congratulations to Swish and Del Potro fans ( I include myself in that category! ) If he can play as he has done thus far in Shanghai, he'll beat Djokovic in my view.

And congratulations to Melo /Dodig for getting through to the final! I hope they'll win it.

DPOT served at 80%.I think he went more for placement than just bombing away.The slice in the deuce courts was VERY effective in combination with inside out FH.It is stunning how he can really lean on shots off both wings and hit a flat ball soooo hard. I can't imagine what it feels like trying to return one of his groundy bombs.

After a blistering first set from Djokovic, 6-1, Del Potro is waking up to the challenge. The serve - especially the second serve was lacking in the first set & that couples with some top drawer play from ND sealed the first set. JMDP has found his serve and his forehand, and is 3-0 up in the second set.

Congratulations to Melo/Dodig for winning the doubles title. Their first as a team.